The ongoing protest by the Portadown Orange District at Drumcree church entered its 250th day yesterday with no solution to the current impasse apparent.
Last night Orangemen staged a major rally at the protest site.
Several hundred Orangemen and their supporters listened as officers of the Portadown District reiterated their determination to remain at Drumcree until they are permitted to march the contentious Garvaghy Road route.
The order's grand secretary, Mr Denis Watson, told the crowd it would not be part of any compromise agreement which allowed Sinn Fein to "get off the hook" of decommissioning. Further protests are planned for the next few weeks. This Saturday the Apprentice Boys of Derry stage a protest march through Portadown town centre to Drumcree.
